I see you (gxg)

Into the Shadows

The warehouse stands as a hulking shadow against the night sky, its once bustling interior now a graveyard of rust and decay. Located far from the city, the structure is an abandoned relic, long forgotten and left to the elements. The large, corrugated metal walls are covered in graffiti and grime, and the broken windows rattle in the wind, giving an eerie, haunting feel to the place.

I pull up on my bike, the roar of the engine cutting through the silence. My men dismount their vehicles and move in behind me, a silent but formidable force. I glance back at them, my eyes hard. "Stay in the shadows and wait for my call."

They nod in unison, slipping into the darkness around the perimeter of the warehouse. I take a deep breath, steadying myself before pushing open the heavy, creaking door. The sound echoes through the empty space, a ghostly reminder of what once was.

Inside, the warehouse is a maze of derelict machinery and forgotten debris. The air is thick with dust, and every step I take kicks up a cloud that catches in my throat. I navigate through the labyrinth of broken pallets and rusted equipment, my boots crunching on shattered glass and loose nails. The dim light from the moon filters through the broken windows, casting long, ominous shadows across the floor.

I stumble over a fallen beam, catching myself just in time to avoid a nasty fall. Cursing under my breath, I press on, my eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. The silence is oppressive, broken only by the distant drip of water from a leaky roof and the occasional scurrying of rodents.

Ahead, I see a narrow staircase leading up to the second floor. The metal steps groan under my weight as I ascend, each creak amplified in the stillness. My heart pounds in my chest, a steady drumbeat of anticipation and dread.

At the top of the stairs, a door stands slightly ajar, a faint light spilling out from the crack. I push it open cautiously, stepping into what appears to be an old office. The walls are lined with dusty filing cabinets, and a large desk sits in the center of the room, papers scattered across its surface.

And there, standing with her back to me, is Camilla Romano. The moment she senses my presence, she turns around, a cold, calculating smile spreading across her lips.

"Hello, darling," she purrs, her voice dripping with mockery. "Took you long enough."

I narrow my eyes at her, every muscle in my body tensing. "Cut the crap, Camilla. Where is she?"

Camilla laughs, a chilling sound that sends shivers down my spine. "Always so direct, Ashley. But where's the fun in that?"

I take a step closer, my fists clenched at my sides. "This isn't a game, Camilla. Tell me where she is, or I swear—"

"Or you'll what?" she interrupts, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Kill me? Hurt me? You forget, Ashley, I'm not so easily intimidated."

I force myself to stay calm, to keep my anger in check. "You know what I'm capable of, Camilla. Don't test me."

She tilts her head, studying me with a mix of curiosity and contempt. "You've changed, Ashley. I remember a time when you were much more... cooperative."

"Those days are over," I snap. "Now, where is she?"

Camilla sighs dramatically, as if this is all a great inconvenience to her. "You're no fun, you know that? Fine, if you must know, she's closer than you think."

My eyes dart around the room, searching for any clue, any sign that might lead me to her. "What do you mean?"

Camilla's smile widens, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "You'll find out soon enough. But first, let's have a little chat, shall we?"